Rooney Can't Wait!

Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney admits winding up Liverpool fans is motivation enough to win the Champions League this week.

He said: "It is difficult when you see one of your rivals winning things. When Liverpool took the trophy, it was hard to take. Because they haven't really been challenging for the league in the last few years, they've had chances to rest players before big Champions League games and that helped them. By Liverpool winning the Champions League, it's made us want to win it even more."

Rooney gets great pleasure teasing his pals from the Kop. One such scenario unfolded nine years ago when United won the European Cup with a famous last-gasp victory against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.

He explained: "A few of us watched the match and most of my mates were Liverpool fans. It was just me and another pal who were Everton supporters. We wanted United to win and obviously they (my mates) didn't.

"When they won, I was really happy and we were winding the Liverpool fans up. I remember listening to the radio after the game and they were speaking to a lot of fans around Manchester. The atmosphere there sounded brilliant, so hopefully I can be involved in something like that this year."

Led by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, United will fly out to Russia tomorrow and Rooney is desperate for the match to get under way.

He said: "It's a horrible feeling waiting for the final. I'd like to go to bed tonight and wake up on Wednesday. It's a bit like Christmas when you're a kid, so I just can't wait.

"I've been playing FIFA on X-Box with my mates. My girlfriend's not too happy with me, but it keeps me occupied.

"I've played in three cup finals, winning one and losing two, so hopefully I can even that out."